Ion generation device

ABSTRACT

The present invention provides methods and systems for an ion generation device that includes an elongate housing having a back portion and a pair of side portions extending from the back portion and forming a cavity therein. A conductive portion is disposed within the cavity and connected to a power supply for providing power to the conductive portion. A plurality of tines are engaged to the conductive portion.

CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED PATENT APPLICATION

The current application is a divisional of co-pending U.S. patentapplication Ser. No. 13/918,282 filed Jun. 14, 2013, and entitled “IONGENERATION DEVICE”, which in turn claims the benefit of the earlierpriority filing of provisional application Ser. No. 61/660,301 filedJun. 15, 2012.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates generally to an ion generation device andmore generally relates to a ion generation device that includes tinescomposed of polypropylene impregnated with carbon for discharging ionswithin the proximate area of the device.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Current ionization tubes utilize a cathode that is completely surroundedby a glass tube. The inside of the glass tube contains a wire mesh thatserves as an anode. Glass by its very nature has a fragile structure andis prone to breaking The glass tube in an ionization tube also producesa corona discharge, which minimizes the effect of the ionization tubeand increases the amount of energy consumed during operation ofionization tube. The glass tube breaks down over time and must bereplaced by the user and the replacement cost for such a tube is high.Additionally, the glass tube requires a voltage high enough to breakdown the dielectric strength of the glass, and during the break downprocess, a corona discharge is created, thus causing uncontrolled andundesirable ozone.

For example, U.S. Patent Application No. 2010/0247389 discloses abipolar ionization tube that has a cathode that is completely surroundedby a glass tube. An anode is provided that circumscribes the interiorwall of the glass tube.

There is a need for a bipolar ionization device that is not breakable,eliminates the need for expensive replacement parts, saves energy,provides higher output, and minimizes corona discharge.

BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

According to an embodiment of the present invention, the ion generationdevice includes an elongate housing having a back portion and a pair ofside portions extending from the back portion and forming a cavitytherein. A conductive portion is disposed within the cavity andconnected to a power supply for providing power to the conductiveportion. A plurality of tines are engaged to the conductive portion.

According to another embodiment of the present invention, the iongeneration device includes an extrusion disposed within the cavity ofthe housing.

According to yet another embodiment of the present invention, the iongeneration device includes a plurality of tines composed ofpolypropylene impregnated with carbon.

According to yet another embodiment of the present invention, the iongeneration device includes tines that are composed of ahomopolypropylene impregnated with carbon.

According to yet another embodiment of the present invention, the iongeneration device includes an extrusion composed of rubber having ahollow interior portion for receiving the power supply and conductiveportion.

According to yet another embodiment of the present invention, the iongeneration device includes a shelf positioned on the inner portion ofeach side portion of the housing for receiving a first rib of theextrusion.

According to yet another embodiment of the present invention, the iongeneration device includes tines that are spaced an equal distance apartalong the length of the conductive portion.

According to yet another embodiment of the present invention, the iongeneration device includes an elongate housing having a back portion anda pair of side portions having an interior portion and exterior portionand extending generally perpendicularly from the back portion andforming a cavity therein. The extrusion is disposed within the cavity ofthe housing and having a hollow for receiving a power supply and aconductive portion, wherein the conductive portion includes an elongateportion and a plurality of tines that extend generally perpendicularlyoutwardly from the elongate portion.

According to yet another embodiment of the present invention, the iongeneration device includes an extrusion that has a frustoconical upperportion and a hollow interior portion therein for receiving the powersupply and elongate portion of the conductive portion.

According to yet another embodiment of the present invention, the iongeneration device includes a plurality of tines extending from theconductive portion and having a lower portion and a top portion, whereinthe lower portion is engaged to the conductive portion and is wider thanthe top portion.

According to yet another embodiment of the present invention, the iongeneration device includes an upper end of the tine that contains apoint that is from about 0.01 inches to about 0.05 inches in length.

According to yet another embodiment of the present invention, the iongeneration device includes an outer housing composed of aluminum.

According to yet another embodiment of the present invention, a methodof ionizing air that includes providing an ion generator device thatcomprises an elongate housing having a back portion and a pair of sideportions extending from the back portion and forming a cavity therein. Aconductive portion is disposed within the cavity and connected to apower supply for providing voltage to the conductive portion, and aplurality of tines engaged to the conductive portion. An ion generatoris placed in an HVAC system that includes a heat transfer device,wherein the ion generator device is positioned next to the heat transferdevice.

According to yet another embodiment of the present invention, a methodof ionizing air that includes providing an extrusion disposed within thecavity of the housing.

According to yet another embodiment of the present invention, a methodof ionizing air that includes providing a plurality of tines extendingperpendicularly from the conductive portion and having a lower portionand a top portion, wherein the lower portion is engaged to theconductive portion and is wider than the top portion.

According to yet another embodiment of the present invention, a methodof ionizing air that includes a conductive portion composed ofpolypropylene impregnated with carbon.

According to yet another embodiment of the present invention, a methodof ionizing air that includes an ion generation device that ispositioned such that air flows perpendicular to the longitudinal lengthof the tines.

According to yet another embodiment of the present invention, a methodof ionizing air that includes a power supply engaged to an electricalconnector for supplying power to the power supply.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The present invention is illustrated and described herein with referenceto the various drawings, in which like reference numbers denote likemethod steps and/or system components, respectively, and in which:

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of the device;

FIG. 2 is a perspective exploded view of the device;

FIG. 3 is a side view of the device;

FIG. 4 is a top perspective view of the housing of the device;

FIG. 5 is a side view of the housing of the device;

FIG. 6 is a top perspective view of the conductive portion;

FIG. 7 is a bottom perspective view of the conductive portion;

FIG. 8 is a top perspective view of the extrusion;

FIG. 9 is a side view of the extrusion; and

FIG. 10 is a view of the method of using the device.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

Referring now specifically to the drawings, an ion generation device isillustrated in FIGS. 1, 2, and 3 and is shown generally at referencenumeral 10. The ion generation device 10 generally comprises a powersupply 12, a conductive portion 14, and a housing 16. The power supply12 spans substantially the length of the ion generation device 10 andcarries electrical current. The conductive portion 14 also spanssubstantially the length of the ion generation device 10 and is disposedin close proximity to the power supply 12. The housing 16 contains acavity 18 for retaining the power supply 12 and a conductive portion 14.Preferably, the housing 16 contains a back portion 20 and two sideportions (22, 24) each extending generally perpendicularly from the backportion 20. The cavity 18 is located within the back portion 20 and twoside portions (22, 24) and having an opening opposite the back portion20. The cavity 18 is designed to house, retain, and protect the powersupply 12 and conductive portion 14.

The cavity of the housing 16 is generally u-shaped. The side portions(22, 24) each have an inner portion and an outer portion, wherein theinner portion is disposed within the cavity 18 and the outer portionforms the exterior of the housing 16. A pair of elongate knobs 26 areformed within the inner portion of each side portion (22, 24) andgenerally extend along the length of the side portion (22, 24). A firstrecess 28 is positioned above each knob 26 on the inner portion of eachside portion (22, 24). The bottom portion of the first recess 28 andupper portion of the knob 26 form a shelf 30 for positioning anextrusion 32 within the cavity 18 of the housing 16. A second recess 34is formed within the housing below the knob 26, and preferably thesecond recess 34 is formed at the upper end of each side portion (22,24). The second recess 34 is designed to receive a bottom portion of theextrusion 32. The housing 16 may be composed of aluminum or composed ofan material with insulative properties such as rubber.

The back portion 20 of the housing 16 has an inner portion and anexterior portion, wherein the inner portion is disposed within thecavity 18 and the outer portion forms the exterior of the housing 16. Achannel 36 is disposed on the exterior portion of the back portion 20 ofthe housing 16 and extends generally along the entire length of thehousing 16.

The conductive portion 14 may be made of any material that conductselectricity. In one embodiment, the conductive portion 14 is composed ofa thermoplastic polymer imbedded with conductive material that allowsthe polymer to conduct electricity. For example, the conductive portion14 may be composed of polypropylene impregnated with carbon. Generally,the conductive portion 14 may contain between about 20 to about 80 wt %polypropylene copolymer, between about 5 to about 40 wt % talc, and fromabout 5 to 40 wt % carbon black. However, any other resistive,inductive, reactive or conductive plastic or non-metallic material maybe utilized for the conductive portion 14.

The ion generator device 10 also includes a plurality of tines 38disposed on the conductive portion 14. The tines 38 may be embedded intobores in a concave manner or they may extend outwardly in a convexmanner. The tines 38 are spaced along the axial length of the top end ofthe conductive portion 14. The tines 38 contain a base and an upper end.The base of the tines 38 are larger than the upper end. Preferably, theupper end of each tine 38 has a point. In other words, the tines 38 havea base that is integral with the conductive portion 14 and spaced alongthe axial length of one side of the conductive portion 14 and the topend of the tines 38 forms a point. The conductive portion 14 and tines38 may be composed of stainless steel, gold, titanium, brass, or anyother conductive, but oxidation resistant material, but preferably areformed from a thermoplastic polymer imbedded with conductive materialthat allows the polymer to conduct electricity. For example, theconductive portion 14 and tines 38 may be composed of polypropyleneimpregnated with carbon. The tines 38 may contain between about 20 toabout 80 wt % polypropylene copolymer, between about 5 to about 40 wt %talc, and from about 5 to 40 wt % carbon black. The conductive portion14 and tines 38 are preferably formed by injection molding a liquidpolypropylene that is impregnated with carbon.

As illustrated in FIGS. 2, 3, 6 and 7, an extrusion 32 may be positionedbetween the power supply 12 and conductive portion 14 and the housing16. The extrusion 32 is preferably made of a non-conductive material,such as rubber or plastic, so that the extrusion 32 acts as an insulatorbetween the power supply 12 and conductive portion 14 and housing 16.More preferably, the extrusion 32 is composed of UL V0 rated plastic.The extrusion 32 contains an upper portion and a lower portion. Theupper portion of the extrusion 32 is frustoconical and disposed adjacentthe inner portion of the back portion of the housing 16. A first pair ofribs 42 extend generally perpendicularly from the extrusion 32 and belowthe frustoconical upper portion on either side of the extrusion 32. Thefirst pair of ribs 42 are designed to be received within the firstrecess 28 of the inner portion of each side portion (22, 24) of thehousing 16. Each of the first pair of ribs 42 is designed to be engagedto the shelf formed by the bottom portion of the first recess 28 andupper portion of the knob 26. A second pair of ribs 44 are disposed onthe lower portion of the extrusion 32 and extend generallyperpendicularly from the extrusion 32 and are in a spaced-apartrelationship and are generally parallel to the first pair of ribs 42.The second pair of ribs 44 are designed to be disposed within the secondpair of recesses 34 of the housing 16.

The tines 38 consist of a base and a stem with a generally consistantand constant diameter that extends to an upper end, containing a point.The point consists of a reduction in the diameter of the stem to a sharppoint. The length of the reduction in diameter of the stem to the pointis from about 0.01 to about 0.05 inches. In other words, the upper endof the tine 38 contains a point that is from about 0.01 to about 0.05inches in length.

The frustoconical upper portion of the extrusion 32 contains a hollowfor receiving the power supply 12 and conductive portion 14. The hollowis contained within the inner side of the frustoconical upper portion.Two opposed flanges 46 extend angularly downward from the inner side ofthe extrusion 32 and form the opposed end of the hollow. The tines 38 ofthe conductive portion 14 extend between the flanges 46 and the flanges46 provide stability to the tines 38 and to keep the tines 38 properlyaligned.

The conductive portion 14, as shown in FIGS. 8 and 9, contain anelongate rod, whereby the tines 38 extend generally outwardly from theelongate rod. The elongate rod contains a first side and a second side.The first side may be arcuate shaped and designed to receive thegenerally circular power supply 12. The base of the tines 38 aredisposed on the second side of the elongate rod of the conductiveportion 14.

The power supply 12 is preferably a generally circular high voltagepower supply wire that spans substantially the length of the iongenerator device 10. The high voltage wire preferably carries voltageranging between about 2,000 Volts to about 15,000 Volts, including allpoints in-between or any voltage and frequency outside these parametersthat will cause a cold plasma discharge. The high voltage wire creates amagnetic field and the conductive portion 14, which acts as a resistor,draws the electrons from the magnetic field. The electrons migratethrough the conductive portion and progress to the tines 18. The powersupply 12 may have an alternating current or direct current component,including a high frequency component that is easy to adjust the ionconcentration (e.g. a pulse wave).

The conductive portion 14 and the tines 18 are designed to createpositive ions, negative ions, or both simultaneously. The conductiveportion 14 and tines 18 are designed to create a differential voltagefor attraction or opposition of a flowing median of products within theflowing median, such as contaminants in air and water.

In an exemplary embodiment, when the ions reach the base of the tine 18,the ions flow from the pointed upper end of the tine 18 positioned onthe conductive portion 14. The ions flow into the surrounding area andcollide with air molecules and particles in the air stream, thusionizing the air molecules and particles. The ionization of the air aidsin cleaning the air, removing odors, and helps reduce pollutants.

In one use, the ion generator device 10 may be installed in a heating,ventilation and air condition (HVAC) system. The ion generator device 10may be engaged to a structure so that the air flows perpendicular tolongitudinal length of the tines 18. In other words, the ion generatordevice 10 should be positioned such that the tines 18 are upright inrelation to the air flow and the air flow is able to flow between thetines 18. In another embodiment, the ion generator device 10 may beinstalled near a copy machine, industrial machinery, conveyor belts, orgenerally anywhere where there is a desire to control staticelectricity.

A horizontal flow, flat heat transfer device 48 is shown in FIG. 10. Thedevice 10 is positioned preferably adjacent the heat transfer device 48with reference to the air flow. However, it should be understood thatthe device 10 may be positioned upstream from the heat transfer device48 if desired by the user. The heat transfer device 48, which is wellknown in the art, comprises circuited tubes through which refrigerantcirculates and may contain a number of substantially flat, planarparallel fins that are attached or adjacent at generally regular spaceson the tubes. The fins increase the effective surface area of the tubes,thereby increasing heat transfer from the air to the surface of the heattransfer device 48. Because of the excellent heat transfer properties,low expense and ease of manufacture of aluminum, a typical heat transferdevice 48 may be constructed of aluminum. In determining the spatialrelationship between the heat transfer device 48 and the device 10, theobjective is to obtain a uniform distribution of the ions across theface of the heat transfer device 48 positioned upstream relative to theair flow.

During use, the power supply 12 is engaged to an electrical connector tosupply power to the power supply 12 that in turn supplies power to thepower supply 12. The power supply 12 creates a magnetic field and theions are drawn to the conductive portion 14. The ions progress throughthe conductive portion 14 and are injected into the tines 18. The ionsflow up the tines 18 from the base to the pointed upper end. When theions reach the pointed upper end of the tine 18, the ions flow from thepointed upper end of the tine 18 and into the surrounding area andcollide with air molecules and particles in the air stream, thusionizing the air molecules and particles. The ionization of the air orother median aids in cleaning the median, removing odors, and helpsreduce m contaminants.

In another embodiment, the tines 18 may generate positive and negativeions by utilizing an alternating current or direct-current high voltagepower supply with each polarity.

Although the present invention has been illustrated and described hereinwith reference to preferred embodiments and specific examples thereof,it will be readily apparent to those of ordinary skill in the art thatother embodiments and examples may perform similar functions and/orachieve like results. All such equivalent embodiments and examples arewithin the spirit and scope of the present invention and are intended tobe covered by the following claims.

What is claimed is:
 1. A method of ionizing air, comprising: providingan ion generator device that comprises an elongate housing having a backportion and a pair of side portions extending from the back portion andforming a cavity therein, a conductive portion disposed within thecavity and connected to a power supply for providing voltage to theconductive portion, and a plurality of tines engaged to the conductiveportion; and placing the ion generator device in an HVAC system thatincludes a heat transfer device, wherein the heat transfer device ispositioned adjacent the ion generator device.
 2. The method of ionizingair of claim 1, further providing an extrusion disposed within thecavity of the housing.
 3. The method of ionizing air of claim 1, furtherproviding a plurality of tines extending perpendicularly from theconductive portion and having a lower portion and a top portion, whereinthe lower portion is engaged to the conductive portion and is wider thanthe top portion.
 4. The method of ionizing air of claim 1, wherein theconductive portion is composed of a polypropylene impregnated withcarbon.
 5. The method of ionizing air of claim 1, wherein the iongeneration device is positioned such that air flows perpendicular tolongitudinal length of the tines.
 6. The method of ionizing air of claim1, wherein the power supply is engaged to an electrical connector forsupplying power to the power supply.